StC News

Saints Fall In VISAA Final

by Edison Pellumbi '25
Coming off two miraculous wins, the Saints faced the top-ranked team in the state as they looked to defend their championship, the Collegiate Cougars.  Collegiate came into the match with an incredible 23-1 record, however that one did come at the hands of the Saints, as they defeated them 2-1 at Massey Field back in September.  Later on in the year however, they matched up again and Collegiate came out on top, winning 4-1.

This night would be Collegiate's, as they won an overtime thriller 2-1.

Early in the match, Collegiate dominated.  The Saints got to half at a 0-0 score, and that was mainly due to the contributions of Ben Smith '25.  The keeper made some incredible saves, and somehow managed to keep Collegiate off the scoreboard.  Another man who deserved to be highlighted was left back Steven Bishara '25.  He had to mark some very tough Collegiate wingers, and won nearly every duel he was presented with.

Early in the second half, Max Mumford '25 got a great chance on a counter attack.  He chipped it over the keeper and hit the post, but then banged in the rebound, giving St. Christopher's a 1-0 lead.  Three minutes later, the Saints conceded a penalty, but Dougie Boardman '25 made an incredible diving save, keeping the match level.  Later, he made an even more impressive save off a header.  Eventually, Collegiate did sneak one past, but it was an unbelievable effort by Boardman to only concede one off of the numerous dangerous chances for the Cougars.  For the third straight match, eighty minutes could not separate the two sides, and extra time was needed.

In extra time, Collegiate headed one in off a perfect corner kick to win in sudden death, 2-1.  The Saints ended their title defense season as state runners up, and they went 12-4-3.
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